The beginning of Fall term on campus is a time to cherish the arrival of new students and the return of current students after their summer internships and travels. It is a time when we recommit ourselves to the academic routine for learning new things and continuing our traditions of sifting and winnowing.
As you may be well-aware, with the departure of Jim Sember, our past Executive Director, last year and the retirement of Dr. Tom Jahns this year, we have decided to reorganize ourselves to better serve the goals of WEMPEC. Prof. Giri Venkataramanan has taken the role of Director, providing overall leadership to the program, with a particular focus on Education. Prof. Bulent Sarlioglu is taking the role of Technology and Collaboration Director, focusing on existing and emerging technology and our collaborations with corporate and federal sponsors. Prof. Dan Ludois is taking the role of Research Director, focusing on maintaining our research excellence and laboratory infrastructure and coordinating our federal center initiatives. Prof. Eric Severson will continue to serve as an Associate Director, focusing on building our research portfolio in new and exciting frontiers such as magnetic levitation.
We are fortunate to have an excellent and committed slate of staff members: Kathy Young as our Administrative Coordinator, directing our office operations; Kyle Hanson and Pia Stramp as our Researchers, directing various aspects of laboratory operations and student/sponsor programming.
While we have had a lull in producing our newsletters during this past, unusual year, you can expect to hear from us regularly every month. We will keep this newsletter short and will update you on other news in the coming months.
In November: MS(Professional) program prepares students for a professional career on a fast-track.
Sincerely,
Prof. Giri Venkataramanan
WEMPEC Director
University of Wisconsin – Madison